Automatic fire-extinguishing system



3 Sheefi s-Sheet 1.

. (No Mpdel.) L .G. KNOWLES, Jr. & G. W. YOUNG.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM. .No. 450,413.

Patented Apr. 4 1891.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets+Sheeh 2.

G. KNOWLES, Jr. & G. W. YOUNG. AUTOMATIC FIRE BXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.

No. 450,413. Patented Apr. 14,1891.

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(No Model.)

G. KNOWLES, Jr. 85 G. W. YOUNG. AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.

No. 450,413. Patented Apr. 14,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

GEORGE KNOXVLES, JR, AND GEORGE \V. YOUNG, OF MILVAUKEE,

\VISOONSIN.

AUTOMATIC FIRE-EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,413, dated April 14, 1891.

Application filed December 9, 1889- Serial No.333,0'71. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE KNOWLES, J r., and GEORGE W. YOUNG, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee, and in the State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

Our'invention relates to automatic fire-extinguishing systems; and it consists, primarily, in means for effecting a positive'opening of a service-pipe closure by fluid under press ure as well as for holding said closure in its normal position by the same force.

Our invention further consists in certain peculiarities of construction'and combination of parts to be hereinafter described with ref-- erence to the accompanying drawings and subsequently claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents an elevation, partly in section, and illustrates the application of one form of our invention; Fig. 2, a similar view illustrating the application of another form of our invention; Fig. 3, a like view illustrating still another form of said invention; Fig. 4, a section on line 4:.

coupling B in each of the several forms' shown is provided with a waste-cock b, and connected to the service-pipe A is an air or other fluid pump F of any suitable construction.

In that form of our invention illustrated by Fig. 1 a pipe G connects the pump with the lower end of a cylinder H, that is provided with a waste-cock c and supported on the coupling B, said-pipe having branches I J,

that respectively connect with the riser O and a fluid-storage tank K, the branch I having-a one-way valve (1 and the branch J a check-valve coupling e, for the purpose to be hereinafter specified. The upper end of the cylinder is connected by a pipe L with the storage-tank, and arranged to Work in said cylinder is a flexible metal piston M, provided with a stopper f for the outlet of said pipe. Extending from the piston down through the lower end of the cylinder is a rod N, provided with a leak-groove g and connected to the slotted end h of a lever O, the latter being fast on a trunnion of a valve P, that is journaled in the coupling B to 1101'- mally close the service-pipe A, and said valve is held closed by the fluid-pressure upon the under side of said piston. I

The riser G and branch pipes D are filled with the fluid under pressure, and in case a leak occurs at any point throughout the pipe system the escape of said fluid will remove the pressure from the under side of the piston M, and a pressure will be exerted upon the upper side of this piston by the escape through pipe L of the fluid accumulated in the storage-tank K, whereby the rod N is run down to actuate the lever O, and thus the valve P is brought away from its seat to permit a flow of water through said pipe system. As soon as the leak-groove g on the rod N is exposed the exhaust of the fluid upon the under side of the piston will be hastened, and the force of the water from the service-pipe will close the valve cl to cut-off the pipe G and its several connections, while at the same time the check-valve in the coupling 6 will prevent the fluid in the tank from escaping in the wrong direction. I

In that form of our invention illustrated in Fig. 2 we employ two valves P of equal area, adjustably connected to a yoke Q by setscrews '6 and jam-nuts j, said valves being arranged to open and close in opposite direc tions. The yoke Q'is fast to a rod Zr, journaled in the coupling B, and connectswith the slotted lever O, actuatedby the rod N, connected to a piston M, that works in the cylinder H, and carries a flexible metal stopper f for the flanged portion m of a par "said screw.

tition S in said cylinder, this partition being provided with a channel it for connection with the pipe L, that leads from the storage-tank K. In the latter form of our invention the rod N is provided with a leak-channel g instead of the groove shown in Fig. 1, and this leak-channel is normally closed by a cut-off 0, depending from another piston T, loose on said rod between two collars p p, a spring q being interposed between the collar 19 and the latter piston. The pipe G leads into the latter' for1n of cylinder above the partition S,

and the fluid forced in by thepuinp F acts to v hold the piston T up against the resistance of spring q, while at the same time a spring-controlled valve r is held closed by said piston to cut-cit a'pipe U, that connects the upper portion of said cylinder with the service-pipe A. 7

We prefer to provide the pipe U with a. three-way cock 8, having connection 15 with the "pipe L, whereby we may use either iv-a ter tram the service-pipe or fluid from the tank K as a means for exerting; pressure on the piston T or, if desired, the fluid from both sources may be out off by said cock.

When a leak occurs in the riser Ooranyo'f its branches, the pressure of the fluid on the piston T is removed and the spring q forces this piston out of its normal position against the collar p on the rod N, thereby opening the leak-channel g and valve r, while at the same time the pre sure from the tank K acts against the piston M and said rod isrun down to actuate the lever 0, thus causing the valves j By the i P P to open in opposite directions. arrangement of pistons M T with relation to the inlets "for the fluid or fluids under-press ure a very considerable force is exerted to act uj ate the rod N, and consequently the opening of the valves P P is insured.

The yoke Qof the valve-gear is provided at one end with an eye 14 for engagement with E screw rgand the coupling Bis provided with a screw-threaded socket to in register with To adjust the valves P with relation to their'sea'ts, the screw -v is run into the socketw to lock the yoke Q in position and the set-screws i actuated. Consequently it will be seen that each valve may be ad- .jnsted without displacement-of the other.

7 In that form of our invention i-llustratedby 3 the valves P Pare pivotally connected to bows V V, that are in turn pivotally'connected to opposite ends of the yoke Q, each bow being adjustably connected to an arm of said yoke by a set-screw i and jam-nut j,-

whereb'y when this set-screw is actuated the sent the least possible surface to the how from the service-pipe. In the present form of our invention the yoke Q has itsupper end extended and provided with an arm (1:, that normally impinges against a pin y on a piston T, normally held against a seat in the coup ling B by the pressure in the distributing system and connected bya sleeve X with another piston M, provided with a flexible stopper f for the flanged portion m of a partition S in an extension WV of said coupling, this partition being provided with a channel it for connection with the pipe L, leading from the storage-tank K, as in that form of ourinvention illustrated by Fig. 2. A rod N extends through the sleeve X and is provided at its lower end with a collar 19, while at its upper end said rod has a link connection Y with the valve-yoke.

The partition '8 in the present form of our invention is provided with a spring-controlled valve ,2, held closed by the piston M to cut off a leak-opening g, that takes the place of the leak groove or channel above described in connection with the rod N of the two preceding forms of our invention.

The waste-cock b (showni-n Fig. 3) is of the three-way pattern, and thus We can drain from either side of the piston T when the latter is in its normal position.

In the operation of the latter form of our invention, it a leak occurs in the distributing system, the pistons M T will leave their normal position and the pressure from the storage-tank K will be exerted on the former piston to I force it down against the collar 19' on the "rod N to actuate the latter and through the link connection Y bring the valves .1 P away from their seats. The flow from the service-pipe A will act upon the piston T, and thereby assist the pressure from the tank K on the piston M to insure a full opening of the valves; or in case there is not 'suflicient pressure from said tank to more than partially open said valves the operation will be completed by said flow from the s'ervice-pipe.

In that class of invention 'tovvihichou rs relates a great deal has been 'done to counterbalance or overcome the pressureof the watersupply against the service-pipe "closure, this pressure being heretofore partially or wholly relied upon to open said closure in case of a leak in the distrib'uter system.

By our invention we seek to insure a fpositive'opening of the service-pipe closure at any time -a leak occurs in the distributor system, and to accomplish this resultwe connect the closure to devicespositively actuated by fluid under pressure independent of the waters'upply pressure that is directly exerted against said closure, although wemay utilize the water-supply as the fluid under pressure "corresponding valve is independentlyadjust-- for actuating said devicesor asan aid to another s'ucli fluid 'for the same purpose.

In that form of our invention illustrated by Fig. l the proportions are such that the pressare from the pump is multiplied against an area of such dimensions that the service-pipe valve is held closed against any possible pressure of the water-supply, while in "those forms illustrated by Figs. '2 and 3 we show two such valves connected to a pivotal yoke and arranged to move in opposite directions,

whereby the water-supply pressure is equalized, and there can be no movement of the yoke except by the action of the rod connected thereto.

Having thus described ourinvention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fire-extinguisher system, the combination of a service-pipe, distributer-pipes connected thereto, a closure for the service-pipe, an inclosed actuating mechanism connected to the closure, a source of fluid under pressure communicating with the distributer-pipes and having outlets on opposite sides of the closure-actuating mechanism, and a cut-off controlled by this closure-actuating mechanism and arranged to normally close one of said outlets, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fire-extinguisher system, the combination of a service-pipe, distributer-pipes connected thereto, a closure for the service-pipe provided with a lever, a cylinder, a source of fluid under pressure in communication with the distributer-pipes and with the cylinder at two points of the latter, a piston arranged in said cylinder, a rod connecting the piston and lever of the service-pipe closure, and a cut-off on the piston normally held against one of the fluid-pressure inlets in the aforesaid cylinder, substantially as set forth.

3. In an automatic fire-extinguisher system, a service-pipe closure comprising two connected valves of equal area pivotally connected to a common yoke, and suitable mechanism for adjusting each valve independent of the other, substantially as set forth.

at. In an automatic fire-extinguishing system, a service-pipe closure comprising two valves of equal area arranged to open in opposite directions, bows pivotally connected to the valves, and a pivotal yoke likewise connected to the bows, substantially as set forth.

5. In an automatic fire-extinguishing system, a service-pipe closure comprising two valves of equal area arranged to open in opposite directions,-bows pivotally connected to the valves, a pivotal yoke likewise connected to the bows, and set-screws uniting said bows and yoke, substantially as set forth.

6. In an automatic fire-extinguishing system, a service-pipe closure comprising two valves of equal area arranged to open in opposite directions, bows pivotally connected to the valves, a pivotal yoke likewise connected to the bows, and a pull-rod linked to the yoke, substantially as set forth.

7, In an automatic fire-extinguishing system, a service-pipe closure comprising two valves of equal area arranged to open in opposite directions, a pivotal yoke connected to the valves, a pull-rod connected to the yoke, pistons on the pull-rod, a cylinder surrounding the pistons and provided with a flanged and channeled partition interposed between said pistons, a stopper on ,the outermost piston for closing the flanged portion of the partition, and means, substantially as described, for inducing fluid under pressure into the inner portion of said cylinder and the channeled'portion of its partition, as set forth.

8. In an automatic fire-extinguishing system, a service-pipe closure comprising two valves of equal area arranged to open in opposite directions, a pivotal yoke connected to the valves, a pull-rod connected to the yoke and provided with a leak-channel, a springcontrolled piston loose on the pull-rod and provided with a cut-off for the leak-channel, another piston fast on said pull-rod, a cylinder surrounding the pistons and provided with a flanged and channeled partition interposed between said pistons, a stopper on the outermost piston for closing the flanged'portion of the partition, and means, substantially as described, for inducing fluid under pressure into the inner portion of said cylinder and the channeled portion of its partition, as set forth.

9. In an automatic fire-extinguishing sys= tem, a service-pipe closure comprising two valves of equal area arranged to open in opposite directions, a pivotal yoke connected to the valves, a pull-rod connected to the yoke, pistons on the pull-rod, a cylinder surround= ing the pistons and provided with a flanged and channeled partition interposed between the pistons, a branch connecting the service pipe with the cylinder and provided with a valve normally closed by the innermost piston, a stopper on the outermost piston for closing the flanged portion of the partition, and means, substantially as described, for inducing fluid under pressure into the inner portion of said cylinder and the channeled portion of its partition, as set forth.

10. In an automatic fire-extinguishing system, a service-pipe closure comprising two valves of equal area arranged to open in opposite directions, a pivoted yoke connected to the valves, a pull rod connected to the yoke, pistons on the pull-rod, a cylinder surrounding the pistons and provided with a flanged and channeled partition interposed between the pistons, a branch connecting the servicepipe with the cylinder and provided with a valve normally closed by the innermost pis ton, a stopper on the outermost piston for.

closing the flanged portion of the partition, means, substantially as described, for inducing fluid under pressure into the upper portion of said cylinder and the channeled portions of its partition, a three-way cock in the service-pipe branch, and a pipe connecting this cock with the conductor for leading the fluid under pressure into said channeled portion of the cylinder-partition, as set forth.

11. In a fire-extinguishing system, the com bination of a service-pipe, distributer-pipes connected thereto, a closure for the servicepipe and inclosed actuating mechanism for the closure, at source of fluid underpressure communicating with the distributor-pipes and having outlets on opposite sides of the closure-actuating mechanism, another source the county of; Milwaukee and State of Wisconof fluid having an outlet on one side only of i sin, in the presence of two witnesses.

said closure mechanism, and cut-offs for the latter outlet and one of the former controlled gggg by the aforesaid closure-actuating mechanism, substantially as set forth. 1

In testimonythat we claim the foregoing We have hereunto set our hands, at Milwaukee, in

'Witnesses:

N. E. OLIPHANT, WM. KLUG. 

